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Fast, thrilling and accessible, karting is a fantastic introduction to motorsports and a great way to satisfy your need for speed. With plenty of karting facilities spread around the UK, there has never been a better time to dip your toes in the water and try the sport. While you can get a feel for karting at any number of casual taster sessions at your local track, taking your interest beyond this can be a little daunting and complicated. What equipment do you need? What on-track etiquette do you need to know? How do you start racing? 

Whether you are a budding racer just starting out on your journey to F1 stardom or getting into the sport as an older enthusiast, we have you covered with our in-depth beginner’s guide to karting.

What is karting?

Karting is a type of motorsport that sees participants race around tracks in small, open-wheeled vehicles known as karts. Designed to be quick, agile and lightweight, karts enable drivers to get a feel for high-speed racing in a relatively safe way. This makes for an extremely dynamic racing experience and is the ideal way to build pure racing skills.

Typically, racers start by driving entry-level, lower-powered karts and progress onto more powerful vehicles. At the lower end, you will find karts with 50cc engines. At the upper end, they are equipped with 250cc engines. These faster karts can hit speeds of 70 mph and require considerably more skill than beginner models. They are also significantly more dangerous. However, they are the main stepping stone to single-seater racing, and most professional formula racers spent time developing their abilities in these karts.

Types of karting

Karting is a diverse sport that appeals to participants in many different ways. The type of karting you choose to pursue will largely depend on your skill level, goals and the time and money you have to commit to karting.

1. Recreational karting

As the way most people get their first taste of the sport, recreational karting does not require you to own any equipment or invest significant sums. It takes an “arrive and drive” approach that sees you turn up, rent karts and protective equipment, and hit the track with friends. As it is readily accessible to almost anyone, the karts are usually less powerful. This does not diminish the fun, though. Flying around your local track as you attempt to overtake and defend your position against friends is what recreational karting is all about.

2. Competitive karting

Competitive karting takes things to the next level, adding a more structured competitive element by introducing leagues and championships. These events are tailored to different skill levels, so you do not necessarily need to be the next Lando Norris to participate. The karts tend to be more powerful, but races are organised according to age and kart specifications, so you will be in a balanced field.

3. Indoor or outdoor karting

Another important distinction in the karting world is the difference between indoor and outdoor racing. Indoor venues dominate the recreational scene, taking advantage of the lack of weather interference to provide drivers with a more consistent, year-round racing experience and using tight and technical tracks that challenge drivers and reflect the less powerful karts used. Outdoor tracks are more common in competitive karting, as they allow for larger tracks that facilitate higher speeds, more drivers and thrilling racing. Exposure to the elements also adds an extra challenge, ensuring drivers have to be able to race in all conditions and manage the weather well.

Karting equipment - what you need

If you are serious about karting, you will soon want to start investing in your own equipment. Here, we break down the gear you should invest in first.

1. Kart

If you are just starting, we recommend renting karts until you are sure you want to fully commit or it is clear that investing in karting equipment makes financial sense. Renting is by far the most cost-effective means of participating in the sport if you are an infrequent racer, as acquiring equipment means making a sizable investment.

A brand new competitive kart will cost upwards of £3,000, with models at the upper end of the price range exceeding £10,000. You can check out the second-hand market if you want to minimise costs and are confident you can tell a well-maintained kart from an exhausted machine. Some leagues also limit things like the number of new tyres you can use across the competition, reducing costs for everyone involved and ensuring it is not just about who can spend the most.

2. Helmet

Karting can be a dangerous sport. Adequate safety equipment is absolutely essential if you are to enjoy the experience and minimise the likelihood of serious injury. Your helmet should meet the relevant British Standards Institute (BSI) rating and fit well. Do not skimp when it comes to helmets or wear an ill-fitting helmet while racing.

3. Race suit

A race suit keeps you comfortable while racing but also plays a pivotal role in ensuring your safety. Though you may not always need a suit for recreational karting, most karting centres now provide and require you to wear them. They are also a requirement in competitive racing environments, as they are made from fire-resistant materials that will help protect you in the event of an engine fire or serious incident.

4. Gloves and footwear

While gloves ensure you benefit from a stable grip on the steering wheel, purpose-built footwear guarantees better control of the pedals. Karting footwear often features a slimmer sole, as this allows you to feel the pedal more easily and facilitates more nuanced use.

5. Neck and rib protection

While not frequently used in recreational karting, neck braces and rib protectors are commonplace in the competitive scene. While offering protection should you experience a high-speed impact, they also offer support, improving comfort if you are on the track for an extended period.

While this covers the core equipment you will need for karting, there are a host of additional accessories and tools to consider. For instance, maintaining your kart will require lubricants and engine oils, while racing is dependent on various consumables, such as fuel.

Karting tracks in the UK

You can now find karting tracks in almost every large town and city in the UK - there is no shortage of opportunities to race. While we recommend getting down and supporting your local indoor track as much as possible, several iconic outdoor tracks attract racers from across the country. These include:

• Whilton Mill - a track that is feared and respected for its physicality, Whilton Mill features bumpy surfaces and full-speed, kerb-riding corners that can leave you feeling battered and bruised at the end of a race. As well as a brilliant racing circuit, the Mill is a reminder of just how physically demanding karting can be.

• Glan-y-Gors - located in beautiful North Wales, Glan-y-Gors is a true classic and rightly considered one of the best karting tracks in the world. Generally fast and flowing with a challenging final sector, the circuit rises and falls a lot and contains a surprising amount of elevation gain and loss.

• Paul Fletcher International - often viewed as half karting circuit, half mini F1 circuit, PFI is about as professional as karting circuits get. The circuit design is outstanding, while the pit and paddock facilities are second to none. 

• Buckmore Park - arguably the most technical circuit on this list, Buckmore is challenging but hugely rewarding and a great place to test your skills and push the limits of your driving capabilities. 

Karting etiquette and safety

Understanding basic karting etiquette and considering on-track safety makes for a more enjoyable experience for all racers. This means following these key principles.

Listen to the safety briefing

Though you may have heard the basic safety briefing many times before, rules and procedures vary from track to track, so it pays to listen. Race briefs will also often contain information about the circuit that can improve your race performance or help you avoid dangerous situations.

Know your flags

Flags are one of the main ways track management communicates with racers when they are on track. So you need to know what the flags mean. The preliminary safety briefing usually covers this but, generally, the following flags and meanings are used:

• Yellow - caution, slow down and no overtaking

• Red - stop immediately as there is a serious incident on track

• Blue - a faster driver is coming up behind and will lap you, so let them pass

• Chequered - opens and closes the race session.

Respect other drivers

While karting is competitive, you must respect other drivers. Overly aggressive driving can lead to serious incidents and injury and may see you penalised or disqualified. Race hard but fair, and consider the safety and well-being of everyone on the track.

Karting insurance

Like most sports, karting is risky and involves an element of danger. However, in this instance, the risk is exacerbated by the use of high-powered vehicles and the speed at which you are racing. As such, many racers do take out insurance. Whether you need to usually depends on the level at which you are racing.

Recreational karting

Insurance is not required for most casual karting. Many karting centres will include liability insurance, so participants are covered for any accidents or injuries that occur on track. However, this is not always the case and it is always worth checking whether they provide coverage before racing. It is also important to note that just because insurance is not required does not mean it isn’t a good idea.

Competitive karting

In competitive karting, insurance is much more common and is often required by leagues and competition organisers. In such cases, you will likely need at least personal accident insurance and third-party liability insurance. This type of insurance covers you if you cause injury to another participant or damage their kart. Again, specific requirements vary from competition to competition, so always check with the relevant authority to ensure you comply with all insurance rules.

Track day insurance

In some instances, track day events provide optional insurance for participants. For instance, you may have the option to cover your cart in case of accidental damage. This appeals to those drivers who race infrequently. However, it is worth noting that policies will vary significantly and are often subject to exceptions and exemptions. So make sure the policy reflects your coverage needs before signing. 

Do you need insurance for karting?

While you may not always be required to have insurance to race, that does not mean you should forgo it. At the end of the day, whether you need insurance depends on the amount of risk you are willing to expose yourself to. Accidents, incidents and injuries do happen. If you were to damage someone else's kart accidentally, would you be able to cover the costs? Similarly, if you were injured and had to take time off work, are you in a financial position to do so?

At Quote Sports Insurance, we provide specialist karting insurance coverage based on three core types of insurance:

1. Health insurance - covers you if you sustain an injury during racing and enables you to access high-quality medical treatment and recovery options.

2. Income protection - provides financial protection if you cannot work due to a karting accident. It ensures you can continue to meet essential financial obligations, such as rent, mortgage payments and bills, and do not fall into debt.

3. Life insurance - protects your family and dependents financially should the worst happen while karting.

Karting insurance with Quote Sports Insurance

As sports specialists, we understand the risk involved in participating in your chosen sport and tailor policies to your precise needs, ensuring you are neither over nor under-insured and guaranteeing a competitive premium. This makes financial sense for most kart drivers, as the niche nature of the sport means general insurance providers have neither the expertise nor the experience required to deliver comprehensive and cost-effective policies aimed specifically at racers.

To learn more and receive a quick and easy quote, check out the quote calculator on our website or get in touch with our experienced team to discuss your needs and begin building an affordable bespoke karting insurance policy.